Compression Arthrodesis of the Knee

Twelve cases of compression arthrodesis of the knee, which was performed during the period 1973 to 1978, were reviewed. All of the cases had tuberculous arthritis of the knee and included 3 children. Post-operative management was carried out with compression in a long leg cast with crutch walking for an average of 6 weeks and successive cylinder casts without compression and permitting full weight bearing were applied on an average of every 7 weeks. All cases eventually revealed bony fusion and the tuberculosis subsided without signiflcant complications even in the children.